New Value Fares Offer up to 50% Savings on Overnight Elipsos Trains between Spain and France, Italy, Switzerland

White Plains, NY, September 22, 2004 - Europe’s overnight trains have always been a great way to make tracks while you sleep, and now a new range of fares makes them far more affordable for both leisure and business travel between Spain and France, Italy or Switzerland. Available from Rail Europe in North America, value fares offer savings of up to 50% over full fares on the comfortable Elipsos overnight trains when booked at least 14 days in advance.

Routes, amenities

Elipsos run between Madrid-Paris, Barcelona-Paris, Barcelona-Zurich, and Barcelona-Milan with three classes of service: Gran Class (each compartment has its own bathroom complete with shower, and both dinner and breakfast are included), Club Class (toilet and washbasin in compartment) and Tourist (washbasin only; restrooms in the corridor.) Elipsos trains feature a restaurant car (Gran Class only) and a bar-cafeteria car for snacks and beverages.

Cost comparison

Valid from now until June 15, 2005, the new value fares are available for doubles in Gran Class, Club Class or the 4-berth Tourist Class. While full fares vary according to the route, value fares are the same for all routes. Compare the price of a full-fare double in Gran Class between Madrid and Paris at US$337/CAN$462 with the new value fare for a double in Gran Class on any route at just US$174/ CAN$239. The full-fare double in Club Class between Barcelona and Milan costs US$254/CAN$394, while the value fare in Club Class on any route is US$124/CAN$170. A full-fare four-berth Tourist Class ranges from US$160-167/CAN$220-229, compared to the value fare of US$74/ CAN$102. All prices are per person. Value fares are 50% refundable and exchangeable up to 3 days before the date of travel.

Travelers with a railpass valid in one or two of the countries connected by Elipsos automatically pay a passholder fare, equivalent to the value fares. Passholders, however, are also eligible for equally low fares in single sleeping compartments in either Gran Class or Club Class.

For more information, or to book Elipsos Value Fares, money-saving railpasses or other point-to-point rail tickets anywhere in Europe or the UK, contact a travel agent or call Rail Europe at 1-888-382-7245 in the U.S., or log on to the company’s comprehensive web site, www.raileurope.com; or in Canada:1-800-361-7245, www.raileurope.ca.

Rail Europe is North America’s leading distributor of European rail and related products.

Photos: members of the press may download high-res photos of Eurostar and other European trains at www.raileurope.com/presspix